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GOP prepares for Tropical Storm Isaac

Tropical Storm Isaac could impact the Republican National Convention in Tampa next week.

GOP prepares for Tropical Storm Isaac

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Updated: 4:18 PM EDT Aug 23, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. —

Officials in Tampa are preparing themselves for the impact of Tropical Storm Isaac on the Republican National Convention.

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Currently there is no change in the schedule for the four-day convention that is set to begin Monday, but the Tampa Bay Times Forum is being readied for any serious threats from Isaac.

As 70,000 delegates, visitors and protesters continue to plan for next week's GOP convention, there is no slowing down the preps at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The city promises to be ready, even setting up a 24-hour hotline to clear up any confusion with or without Tropical Storm Isaac.

Police have been training for the better part of a year to handle crowd control, Gov. Rick Scott told reporters there have so far been no security changes in Tampa related to the approaching storm.

"If we need to bring in National Guard, we'll do that. We hope it will go away," said Scott.

After discussing options for the four day convention, the RNC's Chairman, Reince Priebus, released a statement.

"The RNC, working in consultation with the Romney and Ryan campaign, are in regular contact with the National Weather Service, Gov. Scott and local emergency officials in an effort to track and understand the potential impact of the storm," the statement read.

Crystal Davis owns the Luxury Box restaurant right across the street from the Forum and worries a week of great business for her and other merchants could be washed out by Isaac.

"I think we would take a significant hit," said Davis. "It's really important because we want people to have a good time and a great experience because we want them to come back and continue to come back."

The RNC is staying the course not knowing Isaac's course. The convention will conclude with Mitt Romney receiving the GOP nomination next Thursday night.

The Coast Guard announced Thursday it will ban loitering and anchoring boats within 50 yards of the 15 Tampa Bay area bridges during the convention.